Good enough for the church bullentins - good enough for my blog

From my daughter Stephanie:

Thank God for church ladies with typewriters.

These sentences appeared in church bulletins or were announced in church services

(Summer, 2007 Release).



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The Fasting & Prayer Conference includes meals.

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The sermon this morning: 'Jesus Walks on the Water.' The sermon tonight: 'Searching for Jesus.'

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Our youth basketball team is back in action Wednesday at 8 PM in the recreation hall. Come out and watch us kill Christ the King.

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Ladies, don't forget the rummage sale. It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Bring your husbands.

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The peacemaking meeting scheduled for today has been canceled due to a conflict.

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Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our community. Smile at someone who is hard to love. Say 'Hell' to someone who doesn't care much about you.

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Don't let worry kill you off - let the Church help.

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Miss Charlene Mason sang 'I Will Not Pass This Way Again,' giving obvious pleasure to the congregation.

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For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs.

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Next Thursday there will be tryouts for the choir. They need all the help they can get.

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The Rector will preach his farewell message, after which the choir will sing: 'Break Forth Into Joy.'

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Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on October 24th in the church. So ends a friendship that began in their school days.

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At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be 'What Is Hell?' Come early and listen to our choir practice.

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Eight new choir robes are currently needed due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones.

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Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles and other items to be recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children.

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Please place your donation in the envelope along with the deceased person you want remembered.

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The church will host an evening of fine dining, super entertainment and gracious hostility.

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Potluck supper Sunday at 5:00 PM - Prayer and medication to follow.

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The ladies of the Church have cast off clothing of every kind. They may be seen in the basement on Friday afternoon.

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This evening at 7 PM there will be a hymn singing in the park across from the Church. Bring a blanket and come prepared to sin.

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Ladies Bible Study will be held Thursday morning at 10 AM. All ladies are invited to lunch in the Fellowship Hall after the B.S. is done.

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The pastor would appreciate it if the ladies of the congregation would lend him their electric girdles for the pancake breakfast next Sunday.

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Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 PM. Please use the back door.

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The eighth-graders will be presenting Shakespeare's Hamlet in the Church basement Friday at 7 PM. The congregation is invited to attend this tragedy.

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Weight Watchers will meet at 7 PM at the First Presbyterian Church. Please use the large double doors at the side entrance.

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The Associate Minister unveiled the church's new tithing campaign slogan last Sunday : 'I Upped My Pledge - Up Yours'

Love the Lord Your God

Last evening at NRN we conducted our first Membership Orientation class for the new year. This was the largest attendance yet for this class. As I shared the doctrine of the Church of the Nazarene I presented a short teaching on salvation. At the close of this portion of teaching I asked for everyone to bow their heads and close their eyes to prayerfully consider the words I had said. I then gave an invitation to receive Christ as Savior and Lord. Several people made decisions. We will be planning a baptism service soon to baptize at leas 6 people who have recently received Christ!

As we reviewed the applications for membership I was great moved when I read the response on one application to the questions: Have you accepted Christ as your Savior? If so when? One applicant answered: Yes - January 28, 2009!

Last Sunday at NRN we introduced a new song as part of our worship experience. We are going to sing it again this coming Sunday. Here is it with words in order for you to begin now to prepare yourself to be in the Lord's presence this coming Sunday. Plan NOW to be at church this Sunday.



Love the Lord your God - by Lincoln Brewster.

These are trustworthy sayings...

You try walking in my shoes

Today was a great day in the Lord. Some days are filled with laughter and other days are heavy upon the heart. Today was like the latter. Several important decisions were struggled through. Some "heavy" moments in talking to hurting people today.

I decided to share another clip on this posting. My wife says I am suffering from clipitis - the need to post clips - but when you watch it I think you will agree it was worth the time to watch. You may be compelled to watch it several times for full effect. This is only in fun - no one was injured ( as far as I know) in the filming of this clip.



You try walking in my shoes.....

I laugh at this because I remember living in the Washington DC area and watching the news on Channel 4. You may recognize George Michael from his syndicated sports show -The George Michael Sports Machine which aired from 1984 - 2007

Over Achiever?

I was sooo encouraged by several remarks about last Sunday's message about God's Financial Bailout Plan. One of the main principles I shared was about the importance of presenting the tithe (the first 10%) of your income back to God. Last January there were 8 families who made the decision to become tithers. I believe they have been blessed by their decision.

It is always helpful to hear others share their testimony about becoming tithers. Here is a great example:

Have you experienced the blessing of tithing?

I would love to hear your story.

Over Achiever - or - Under Achiever ?

Blessed be your name

The first song of worship tomorrow at NRN.

Come prepared for worship!

Enter to worship - Exit to serve!

God never breaks His Word

Is it really true that I am going to preach about tithing

when our economy is so unstable?

Here is an excerpt of a booklet in my files:

What is a tithe? The word “tithe” is simply old English word meaning “tenth.” It refers to the giving of a “tenth” of one’s income to God or for other charitable purposes. And Almighty God directs that this tenth be given to Him—to His true ministers to do His Work—not just to be handed out anywhere.

The law of tithing simply means that the Great God who made us—who gave us our life, our talents, our minds, the strength with which we work and the very land and materials which we employ in our work—requires us to pay Him the first tenth of our increase or income.

As far as the direct matter of tithing is concerned, God does not consider that we are “giving” anything—but are paying our Creator a very nominal amount that He requires as our Maker, our Sustainer, our Landlord, our Protector and our God!

Nevertheless, the Almighty promises: “Honor the LORD with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine” (Proverbs 3:9–10).

Yes, if you are faithful in obeying God and paying Him the first tenth—or “tithe”—of your income—He will bless your life in many physical and material ways. He has promised—and God never breaks His Word! ©2006 LIVING CHURCH OF GODTM

Here's another example via video - enjoy!




Anybody need a bailout?

Need a financial bailout?

This coming Sunday at NRN I will be continuing in the series of messages about Living Life in High Definition. I am going over four habits we need to develop to life a life of spiritual maturity. My message was prepared and notes completed when I went to bed on Tuesday evening. On Wednesday I awoke with a thought about my message. Why preach such a traditional message about the tithe (which is the 3rd of 4 habits I am sharing)?

I was struck by the thought that when President Obama took the oath of office for the high position in our country - he placed his hand upon the Bible indicating that it is a book of absolute truth upon which all other truth is derived from. Following a night ( and early morning) of celebration, one of the first official acts of the newly elected president was to attend the National Prayer Service for the President of the United States. I believe this time honored tradition which indicates our national value that prayer is important. Later in day, the president met with his economic advisers.

The first habit of living life in high definition is to be a person in the Word of God - and taking time each day to feed your soul by spending time alone with God and in His Word - the Bible. The second habit is that of spending time with God in prayer. Telling God your needs and concerns and listening for His still small voice and directions he gives in His Word. The third habit deals with how we use our money. With that thought I revised my message and retitled it God's Financial Bailout Plan. If you think you need a financial bailout - I think this message may be for you.

Here is a clip that did not make the cut for this coming Sunday but I think you will enjoy it. It is a variation from a classic Christmas movie - you'll get it: It's a Wonderful Tithe!

Sunday is going to be a great day at NRN!

Come on - Let's make that bell ring this Sunday......